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Endodontic Treatment
Root canal therapy is performed when a tooth's pulp tissue (nerve fibers, blood vessels, connective tissue) becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection may be caused by dental decay, repeated dental procedures, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, a sharp blow to a tooth may cause pulpal damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If inflamed or infected pulp tissue is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
There are many signs associated with a tooth that needs root canal treatment: pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling or tenderness in the nearby gums; however, sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. These cases are usually detected radiographically or clinically by your general dentist.
Endodontic treatment is often completed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:
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Step 1
The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a "dental dam" over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva duringthe procedure.
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Step 2
The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals, and to shape the space for filling. |
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Step 3
After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called "gutta-percha". The gutta-persha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
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Step 4
After a final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
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For diagrams or for more information, please visit www.aae.org.
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